Ski Techniques and Tips for Steeps - 1 Confidence Building

To build confidence for the steeps you need to think about elements that make the turn more predictable and comfortable. One of the common problems on steep slopes for many people is that the speed increases suddenly and panic sets in. It can be unnerving if they are not 100% sure about the outcome of the next turn and whether they are going to control the speed as they are rotating their skis.

To create control and a more predicable feeling in these situations you need to look at how you are setting the edge angles on your skis. When you ski on normal terrain and make your every day turn you usually tilt the skis progressively onto an edge to support you and give you a strong platform to push off from to get you into the next turn. The movement is what you usually spend years learning and trying to perfect. Unfortunately, if you take this typical movement with the edge set onto a steep face, unless you are well experienced and know exactly how to use it, the strong edge can actually be a bit too erratic and will accelerate you through the turn.

To overcome this and help yourself in these awkward situations try making turns that don’t necessarily have a dramatic ending. Try to go from turn to turn with a very continual pressure under the foot rather than pressure that is soft at the start and builds up towards the end.

First try making some turns on a normal gradient slope. You should be able to monitor what you are doing by listening to the sound your skis are making. If the sound builds up much louder towards the end of the turn you know the edges are slamming in to hard. Go for a consistent level of sound to make that predictable turn. You’ll notice that the skis remain a bit flatter than normal.

When you have spent some time practicing this in a comfortable environment take it back onto the steeper slope that was bugging you. Notice how the whole process is more relaxing and predictable. Remember that edges don’t always have to be set or tilted to their usual gradient. The technique of being able to rotate the skis and control a skilful skid is very useful and something to be practiced to help you become a better all round skier.